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Ukraine says it cannot start heavy weapons withdrawal Ukraine says it cannot start heavy weapons withdrawal
(about 3 hours later)
The Ukrainian military has said it cannot start withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line in the east until the rebels stop shelling its positions.The Ukrainian military has said it cannot start withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line in the east until the rebels stop shelling its positions.
Military spokesman Lt Col Anatoliy Stelmakh told reporters the rebels had not stopped firing.Military spokesman Lt Col Anatoliy Stelmakh told reporters the rebels had not stopped firing.
Both sides agreed at the weekend to begin withdrawing heavy weapons shortly, under this month's ceasefire.Both sides agreed at the weekend to begin withdrawing heavy weapons shortly, under this month's ceasefire.
Two Ukrainian soldiers died on Sunday, the military said, while the rebels reported one death on their side.
The rebels are not expected to begin their pullback until after a public holiday they are observing on Monday.The rebels are not expected to begin their pullback until after a public holiday they are observing on Monday.
The two sides have two weeks under the terms of the Minsk deal to pull artillery and tanks out of striking distance.The two sides have two weeks under the terms of the Minsk deal to pull artillery and tanks out of striking distance.
The 12 February ceasefire signed in the Belarusian capital, and brokered by France and Germany, looked in danger of collapsing last week when the rebels captured the strategically important rail hub of Debaltseve.The 12 February ceasefire signed in the Belarusian capital, and brokered by France and Germany, looked in danger of collapsing last week when the rebels captured the strategically important rail hub of Debaltseve.
Nearly 5,700 people have died and 1.5 million have fled their homes since fighting erupted last April in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, according to the UN.Nearly 5,700 people have died and 1.5 million have fled their homes since fighting erupted last April in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, according to the UN.
In other developments
Minsk agreement: Key pointsMinsk agreement: Key points
Exchange of fireExchange of fire
Lt Col Stelmakh, spokesman for Ukraine's "anti-terrorist operation" in eastern Ukraine, said the rebels had fired on government positions twice overnight in the Donetsk region, first with small arms then with artillery. New shelling was reported in the Donetsk region on Sunday after overnight exchanges of fire.
Another Ukrainian security spokesman, Vladyslav Seleznyov, said: "As Ukrainian positions are still being fired upon there can be no talk yet of a withdrawal of weapons." Lt Stelmakh accused the rebels of trying to storm the front-line village of Shyrokyne near the government-held port city of Mariupol.
Lt Stelmakh also accused the rebels of trying to storm the front-line village of Shyrokyne near the government-held port city of Mariupol overnight. Rebel spokesman Eduard Basurin confirmed that rebels and government forces had exchanged fire at Shyrokyne.
Rebel spokesman Eduard Basurin confirmed that rebels and government forces had exchanged fire at Shyrokyne, with one rebel fighter killed and two wounded.
But he said the two sides had had a heated exchange by radio before the firing started and he suggested that government troops in the area had been "actively celebrating" Sunday's first anniversary of the Maidan uprising in Kiev.But he said the two sides had had a heated exchange by radio before the firing started and he suggested that government troops in the area had been "actively celebrating" Sunday's first anniversary of the Maidan uprising in Kiev.
Mariupol is viewed as a key objective for the rebels should they try to push further west against government forces.Mariupol is viewed as a key objective for the rebels should they try to push further west against government forces.
The rebels themselves are celebrating a Soviet-era public holiday on Monday, Defenders of the Fatherland Day, which is not an official holiday in Ukraine but is in Russia.The rebels themselves are celebrating a Soviet-era public holiday on Monday, Defenders of the Fatherland Day, which is not an official holiday in Ukraine but is in Russia.
Mr Basurin added that rebel forces were still holding more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers after a weekend prisoner exchange. A festive rally was held on a square in the city of Donetsk, with patriotic songs and tributes to rebels killed in the fighting.
Mr Basurin said rebel forces were still holding more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers after a weekend prisoner exchange.
Most of the remaining prisoners, he told Russia's Interfax news agency, were taken during the rebel offensive against the strategic town of Debaltseve, which ended last week with the retreat of government forces.Most of the remaining prisoners, he told Russia's Interfax news agency, were taken during the rebel offensive against the strategic town of Debaltseve, which ended last week with the retreat of government forces.
The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers.The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and soldiers.
Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers".
Arms dilemma
A former British Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, has added his voice to international calls to supply arms to Ukraine.
Despite warnings that tensions with Russia could result in an all-out conflict, Mr Fox said the West had to wake up to the threat posed by Russia.
"Are we willing to see Ukraine dismembered... and [to see] Russia simply pick off those countries on the periphery of Nato until they're actually at the Nato border?" the Conservative MP asked in a BBC interview.
He was speaking after fellow Conservative MP and former Foreign Secretary William Hague warned against such a move.
"We are not planning, as the UK, to send arms to Ukraine," Mr Hague told the BBC on Sunday. "It has not been our approach in any of the conflicts in recent years to send arms into those conflicts."
Are you in Eastern Ukraine? Are you affected by the recent violence? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be willing to speak further with a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.Are you in Eastern Ukraine? Are you affected by the recent violence? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be willing to speak further with a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.
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